Which comes first the chicken or the egg?  Form or function?  Does form follow function or does function follow form?  In the Use of the Self, F. Matthias Alexander analyzed how his body functioned in reaction to stimuli.  He made many discoveries regarding what he called the Use of the Self.

In the last paragraph of the preface to the New Edition of The Use of the Self,  Alexander stated: "The real solution to the problem (working with the human doing patterns and trying to get things right) lies in the wide acceptance of the principle of prevention instead of 'cure', and the realization at long last, that the most valuable knowledge we can possess is that of the use and functioning of the self, and of the means whereby the human individual may progressively raise the standard of his health and general well being."

So what does this mean to me right now in this moment? Let's check in and notice a few things.  As you are reading this Blog, you may be reading it on a laptop, a traditional PC or perhaps an iphone or a blackberry. Are you hunched over trying to read the small font on the screen?  Are you collapsed and tightening your shoulders and neck muscles?  If so, your form is seemingly starting to shape around how you are using yourself or how you are functioning in response to stimuli (the blog). The question I have is does this compression pattern add value to the quality of your overall form, function and flow?

It is through the daily acts of living - reacting with tension and gripping or choosing to respond to allow the neck muscles to be free so that the head can release forward and up that we begin to raise the standard of our well being and not keep recreating the tension cycle patterns of use.

In the new health plan set forth by the Obama administration I wonder if the use and functioning of the self will be considered?  I am frequently asked by Alexander Students why didn't I learn this in school or before I had surgery?  Good questions indeed.  If you share one of these questions please let your voice be heard.  Are you wanting to progressively raise your standard? Please take a moment to go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact  and ask your questions.

Improve your form, function and flow... 

http://www.formfunctionflow.com/

By Christie Johnson, BA, BCST, ATI, MT